Intake and delivery module for a fluid and associated system for treatment of said fluid

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an intake and delivery module for a fluid, in particular water for a swimming pool or more generally for a tank, and an associated system for treatment of said associated fluid. It makes it possible to facilitate the installation and the activation of the system for treatment of the fluid of a tank, to generate a sufficient output of fluid, to decrease the number of pieces of equipment and to prevent any damage to the treatment means. The fluid intake and delivery module comprises an intake port which co-operates with a proximal part of a fluid outlet conduit and a delivery port which co-operates with a proximal part of a fluid inlet conduit. It also includes a self-priming pump which co-operates with the fluid outlet conduit downstream of the intake port.

The invention relates to an intake and delivery module for a fluid, in particular water for a swimming pool or more generally for a tank, and an associated system for treatment of said fluid. The invention relates more particularly, but in a non-limiting manner, to a system for heating of swimming pool water using a heat pump (hereafter designated HP).

The treatment of a fluid may be understood to be heating, cooling, filtration, the addition of chemical elements such as chlorine, or any other action. Fluid is understood to mean any type of fluids which are not very compressible, commonly called liquids, such as fresh water, salt water, wine, fruit juices or also beer. The term “tank” applies to a swimming pool or more generally any type of container regardless of its size, such as an aquarium, a barrel, etc. By way of a preferred application we will describe a system for heating swimming pool water with the aid of an HP according to the invention.

To equip a swimming pool or a tank with a heating device requires a generally complex installation for routing the electricity and above all the water between the HP and the tank. In most cases, the arrangement and the geometry of tanks have a part to play in this installation. It is therefore necessary to use a specialist technician and to make arrangements near to the swimming pool in order to disguise and to route water pipes from the tank to the HP in particular. Currently, the methods for connecting HPs for swimming pools consist of putting in place a generally rigid pipework system which necessitate welding in order to interconnect an HP, a hydraulic circuit, a filtration pump and a tank of which the water temperature is to be regulated. Other parameters are to be taken into account such as the distance between the tank and the HP, the obstacles which may be situated between these two devices or also environment around the HP.

This installation is a matter for specialists since it necessitates particular technical knowledge and appropriate tooling. Moreover, it generally takes a certain length of time: three to four hours are generally required in order to carry out an installation. Thus it is relatively difficult for a proprietor of a tank to carry this out alone.

Faced with these difficulties of size and for the sake of saving time and money, certain manufacturers have developed HP installation kits. Although this brings a gain in terms of autonomy for the proprietors of such equipment, the activation of the installation is often not very obvious, sometimes even tedious or prohibitive. Furthermore, defective installation of the HP may in particular lead to risks of damage thereto: in fact the operation of the HP is precluded without circulation of water since if water does not circulate inside the HP certain components thereof, such as the compressor or also the titanium exchanger, can “burn out”, rendering the HP unusable.

As FIG. 1 indicates, a known embodiment consists of providing a system for treatment of a tank 2, in a non-limiting manner a heater, including a HP 1, a hydraulic circulating pump 3, which generates the throughput and the circulation of fluid, connected by two pipes, respectively the fluid outlet conduit 4 and inlet conduit 5, to an intake and delivery module 6 immersed in the tank 2. The fluid is conveyed from the tank 2 towards the HP via an intake port 7 which co-operates with the outlet conduit 4. Then after having been heated, said fluid is re-routed towards the tank 2 via the inlet conduit 5 which co-operates with the delivery port 8. Said intake and delivery ports 7, 8 are positioned on a generally rigid casing 9 forming the housing of the intake and delivery module 6. In order to enable a stable and durable installation of said module 6 at the edges of the tank 2, fixing means 10 are generally provided on said casing 9.

This module 6 is discrete and practical to position on the edge of a tank, since it is of relatively small size. This type of module 6 permits easy installation, since this does not necessitate a specific tool and can be effected completely autonomously by any proprietor of a swimming pool for example. Moreover, the intake and delivery module 6 also offers a great adaptability to the configurations of the tank 2, sometimes very varied, and remains independent of the filtration. The use of such an installation device for HP also makes it possible to facilitate the wintering operation: the intake and delivery module 6 and the fluid outlet and inlet conduits 4, 5 can be easily removed, only the HP 1 remains present on site. About fifteen minutes are sufficient to deploy or remove equipment.

However, this type of intake and delivery module is currently intended for specific models of HP and is not interoperable with the majority of HPs on the market. Thus it is necessary to purchase the suitable intake and delivery module according to a particular HP, which can generate of costs considerable and constrains the proprietor of a swimming pool in his choice of equipment.

Also, as it has already been mentioned above, in order not to damage the installation, putting the HP into operation necessitates the supply of pressurised water in order during the first few minutes to supply the compressor of the HP, whilst the fluid inlet and outlet conduits of the hydraulic circuit are filled with air. It is therefore necessary to dispose a pressurised water intake W near the actual intake and delivery module of the HP or to use an additional pipe (of the hosepipe type) in order to deliver pressurised water when the system is put into operation. Likewise it is necessary to provide a valve or a bypass in order to connect said additional pipe during a first time period, then to disconnect it during a second time period. The owner of the tank should therefore perform an activation procedure which is sometimes laborious for unwinding a hosepipe, manually filling the installation with water, actuating the HP then putting said pipe away once the activation is performed. Moreover, the omission of this initial phase or imperfect filling with pressurised water may irretrievably damage the module 6 and the HP 2. In fact, the HP is composed of four essential elements: an external exchanger, also known as an evaporator, which recovers calories in the external air and causes it to transit through the fluid referred to as a “heat-transfer fluid”; a compressor which compresses the heat-transfer fluid, resulting in elevation of the temperature of the heat-transfer fluid, and thus increases the number of calories transported; an internal exchanger or condenser which transfers all of the calories recovered in the external air and produced in the region of the compressor to the heating circuit and finally a regulator which lowers the pressure of the fluid in order to start a new cycle. The fluid cooling or refrigerant likewise known as heat-transfer fluid makes it possible to make digestive transit of free calories recovered outside and calories produced in the region of the compressor in order to supply the heating circuit with heat. If no fluid is circulating in said compressor, this latter can overheat, resulting in destruction thereof. The HP thus becomes unusable. Taking account of the cost of replacement of the compressor, the HP cannot even be repaired. Moreover, the supply of pressurised water is still not possible depending upon the installations. All swimming pools are not planned initially to include a heating device. It can be very difficult to integrate such a device on the hydraulic circuits of tanks after their delivery.

The invention makes it possible to respond to most of the drawbacks raised by the known techniques and responds to the challenges presented previously. It seeks to propose a device which is simple and quick to install, inexpensive, removable and adaptable to any type of tanks or fluids.

To this end, the invention consists of providing a fluid intake and delivery module comprising an intake port which co-operates with a proximal part of a fluid outlet conduit and a delivery port which co-operates with a proximal part of a fluid inlet conduit.

In order to facilitate the installation and the activation of the system for treatment of the fluid of a tank, to generate a sufficient output of fluid, to decrease the number of pieces of equipment and to prevent any damage to treatment means and more particularly to a heat pump and the compressor thereof, an intake and delivery module according to the invention also includes a self-priming pump which co-operates with the fluid outlet conduit downstream of the intake port.

In order to minimise any risk of electrocution arising out of an interaction between the fluid and the electrical power supply of the “self-priming” pump, this latter may be a low-voltage pump.

The “self-priming” pump is advantageously a well pump or a cellar pump.

In such a way as to ensure the maintenance of various elements of the module, but also to enable its removal, the module may comprise a first casing including openings arranged so that the respective proximal parts of the inlet and outlet conduits emerge from said openings.

The intake port is advantageously positioned on the lower part of the first casing, intended to be immersed in order to enable direct and permanent contact with the fluid.

Preferably, the first casing of said module may enclose the self-priming pump in order to enable simple and quick installation and a removable device which can be adapted to any type of tank.

According to another embodiment, the module includes means arranged to ensure the flotation of said module whilst keeping the lower part of the first casing immersed.

According to one embodiment, the module includes sufficient ballast to cause its immersion.

In the event that an outer casing contains the first casing, as well as the delivery and intake ports, the outer casing can include an opening to enable exchanges of fluids between the outside world and the first casing.

For the purpose of ensuring a simple adaptation to any type of tank, the first casing or the outer casing of said module may have a shape bent in an inverted “L” arranged to follow for example the rim or the parapet of a tank.

Although the module is designed to be removable, it may include fixing means which enable durable installation at the edge of the tank.

The respective proximal parts of the inlet and outlet conduits are advantageously flush with the openings of the first casing.

In order to avoid the intake of leaves, particles or any other body contained in the tank and to avoid blocking or disturbing the operation of the self-priming pump of the intake and delivery module, the intake port can include, in a non-limiting manner, a strainer or a grate.

The module can advantageously include means for distancing the delivery port from the intake port and therefore making it possible for a volume of previously heated fluid not to be drawn in immediately. Thus the temperature of a tank can be regulated more quickly.

In order to enable for example the creation of a flow of hot water within the tank to and ensure a better propagation of the hot water, the means for distancing the delivery port may be arranged so as to keep the delivery port at a depth greater than that of the intake port.

For the purpose of facilitating the connection to any type of treatment means, the respective distal parts of the inlet and outlet conduits of the module can include universal connectors.

In order to simplify the handling of the intake and delivery module and its installation, the module can include gripping means.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a system of treatment of a fluid of a tank, comprising means of treatment of said fluid, an intake and delivery module conforming to the first object of the invention, said treatment means co-operating with the respective distal parts of the inlet and outlet conduits of said module.

The fluid treatment means of the system may advantageously include means for supplying and/or actuating the “self-priming” pump.

According to a preferred application the treatment means may include filtration means.

As a variant or in addition the treatment means may include heating means, in particular a heat pump.

The means for supply and/or actuation of the self-priming pump of the intake and delivery module are preferably arranged so as to actuate the “self-priming” pump prior to the treatment means.

In order to enable the connection of the treatment system to any type of treatment means, according to a third aspect, the invention relates to a method for adaptation of the treatment means to the system for treatment of a fluid according to the invention, comprising a step for adapting the fluid treatment means by joining them to means for supplying and actuating the “self-priming” pump of the intake and delivery module, said means actuating said pump prior to the treatment per se of the fluid during the activation of the treatment means.

Other characteristics and advantages will become clearer by reading the following description and studying the drawings accompanying it, in which:

FIG. 1 (already described) shows a schematic representation of a known heating system;

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C show different external views of a first embodiment of an intake and delivery module according to the invention;

FIG. 3 describes an internal view of a first embodiment of an intake and delivery module according to the invention;

FIG. 4 describes a second embodiment of an intake and delivery module according to the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a system for treatment of the fluid of a tank according to the invention.

FIGS. 2A to 2C and 3 show a first embodiment of the intake and delivery module 6 according to the invention.

Such a module includes, in the manner of the intake and delivery module 6 described in relation to FIG. 1, a first casing 9 on which are positioned intake and delivery ports 7, 8. According to a particular embodiment, the intake and delivery module 6 can include a plurality of intake and/or delivery ports 7, 8. The presence of a plurality of intake ports 7 makes it possible to maintain an intake capacity in the case where one of the intake ports 7 may be obstructed. Furthermore, the presence of a plurality of delivery ports 8 ensures a delivery of the fluid in several directions leading to a quicker and more effective propagation of the treated fluid.

The first casing 9 may advantageously be rigid or flexible. It is preferably manufactured in a corrosion-resistant material, such as stainless steels, plastic materials and more particularly polypropylene or also polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The first casing 9 ensures that the different elements of the intake and delivery module 6 are kept together. It also gives said module 6 a great adaptability and removability. The first casing 9 preferably has a shape bent in an inverted “L” arranged to follow the rim, the parapet or the periphery of a tank containing the fluid which is to be treated, for example heated.

The first casing 9 advantageously includes fixing means 10 which enable durable installation of the module 6 at the edges of the tank. These fixing means may be, in a non-limiting manner, spacers, screws, suction cups, support plates or any other means of the same type which provide permanent or temporary fixing.

The first casing 9 may also include universal connectors 11 which make it possible to ensure the connection of the distal parts of the inlet and outlet conduits 5, 4 of the intake and delivery module 6 to any type of treatment means, for example any HP. The presence of universal connectors 11 ensures the interoperability of said module.

The first casing 9 may also comprise gripping means (not shown in the drawings) to facilitate the handling and the installation of said intake and delivery module 6. These gripping means may for example take the form of a handle, an arm, a shaft or a lever.

An intake port 8 according to the invention can include a strainer or a grate: over time, tanks may accumulate particles or granules of various types, such as fragments of dead leaves, dust deposits, or also masses of earth in swimming pools. The presence of the strainer or grate plays a protective role: to avoid the intake of said particles and consequently to prevent blocking or impeding the operation of the “self-priming” pump. Furthermore, for the purpose of stopping the particles which the strainer might allow to pass through, and more particularly mud and grasses, an additional filter may be interposed between the strainer and the inlet of the pump. By way of example, the fast silica filter is particularly adapted to treat the water of a swimming pool. The strainer and the filter may be fixed permanently or temporarily. In the event that the screen and the filter are removable, the cleaning and maintenance of the module 6 and of its intake port 7 are facilitated.

According to another variant (not shown graphically), the intake and delivery module 6 comprises an outer casing enclosing the first casing 9, the intake and delivery ports 7, 8, the “self-priming” pump being within the first casing In order to enable exchanges of fluids between the outside world and the first casing, the outer casing includes one or several openings. These openings enable the intake and delivery ports 7, 8 to generate a circulation of fluid to be treated via said opening(s). Several advantages can justify such an arrangement: the presence of the outer casing ensures an increased safety with respect to the protection of children. In fact, if some children play with the intake and delivery module 6, they may for example trap their fingers in the intake port 7, which may result in injuries. On the other hand, the outer casing may be present for aesthetic purposes or for the purposes of personalization or customization of said module 6.

FIG. 3, in relation to FIGS. 2A to 2C, discloses an internal view of the first preferred embodiment.

The first casing 9 of the intake and delivery module 6 encompasses a “self-priming” pump 12 which co-operates with a fluid outlet conduit 4 downstream of the intake port 7. The presence of this “self-priming” pump 12 makes it possible in particular to reduce the number of elements required in the treatment system. It also simplifies the installation and the activation of such a system since the “self-priming” pump 12 enables the automatic generation of a stream and a circulation of fluid.

A “self-priming pump” is understood to be any pump equipped with an automatic mechanism which facilitates the priming and consequently the starting of the pump. In fact, the pump body is arranged in such a way that it creates a vortex, this vortex creating a negative pressure in the intake port and thus an uptake of water. This type of pump does not necessitate prior filling or extraneous supply of fluid by an additional conduit. The invention greatly simplifies the installation and the activation of a treatment system including such an intake and delivery module 6. The self-priming pump 12 can function from the moment when it is connected to a fluid. By way of example the “self-priming” pump 12 may be immersed or submersible, this latter being characterised by its fluid-tight engine immersed in the liquid to be pumped. It may be in the form of a piston pump. In certain cases it may also be a centrifugal pump. A centrifugal pump is a rotating machine which pumps a liquid by forcing it through a paddle wheel or a propeller referred to as an impeller, often incorrectly referred to as a turbine. The air is drawn in the pump body due to the vacuum created by the turbine in motion. This air mixes with the liquid in the body of the pump. The air-liquid mixture is pushed towards the delivery where the air is lighter, separates from the liquid, which is heavier, which returns into the turbine via the repriming channel. After having removed all the air from the intake duct, the pump is primed and it functions as a conventional centrifugal pump.

The “self-priming” pump 12 is advantageously a well pump or a cellar pump. The purpose of well pumps is to recover the fluid situated below in the tank. The hydraulic part of the pump is always immersed, whilst its motor part is either connected to the wheel by a shaft one to five metres long, or is rendered fluid-tight and immersed. The output of said well pump of is of the order of 3.5 m³/h. This flow rate of the order of 3.5 m³/h is pertinent for treating a fluid, for example heating the water of a swimming pool. Thus no other element is necessary apart from the HP and the intake and delivery module 6. Cellar-emptying pumps can also be used since they are operational from the moment when placed in a sufficient level of water, which is the case when it is immersed in a tank.

The “self-priming” pump 12 is positioned downstream of the intake port 7, preferably on the lower face of the casing 9, and is directly connected to said intake port 7 in order to enable direct and permanent exchanges of fluid between the fluid and the “self-priming” pump 12. Also, the “self-priming pump” 12 may co-operate with the fluid outlet conduit 4 in various manners: they may be, in a non-limiting manner, screwed, sealed or also adhered together, and a connector may also be present. This co-operation may be permanent or temporary in order to be able to ensure the maintenance of the outlet conduit 4 and of the self-priming pump 12 if need be.

The intake and delivery module 6 also comprises an inlet conduit 5 co-operating with the delivery port 8, which enable the rerouting of the fluid treated in the tank. The delivery port 8 and the inlet conduit 5 of fluid are for example connected via a collar, screwed, adhered or connected by any other means. Depending on the arrangement of the first casing 9, this latter can serve as an internal delivery conduit, that is to say an internal fluid inlet conduit 5.

Advantageously, the intake and delivery ports 7, 8 are not positioned on the same plane for the purpose of avoiding the intake of fluid already treated and ensuring the propagation of the treated fluid with regard to the rest. The intake and delivery ports 7, 8 are preferably positioned relative to one another at an angle of 90°.

In order to prevent any risk of electric shock or electrocution, the “self-priming” pump 12 included in a module 6 according to the invention is a low-voltage pump. The available energy present in all homes generally corresponds to a “conventional” voltage of 230 V or 110V. Elements in the immediate vicinity of a tank or even immersed in said tank, for example cables or a pump, which are connected to such an electrical energy supply involves risks of electrocution or electric shock for any person at the edge of the tank. In order to tackle this drawback, a low-voltage 12 V pump will advantageously be used as a “self-priming” pump 12. In order to supply the low-voltage pump from the electrical network or via a third-party device, such as treatment means, a transformer is connected to the network electrical and delivers the low voltage to the pump 12. The transformer will preferably be placed at a sufficiently remote distance from the tank provided to accommodate the intake and delivery module 6 in order to avoid any interaction between the fluid contained in the tank and the electrical power supply of the transformer.

FIG. 4 describes an alternative embodiment (with regard to that previously described in conjunction with FIGS. 2A to 2C and 3). Such an intake and delivery module 6 according to the invention includes of means arranged in order to ensure the flotation of said module.

According to FIG. 4 and as specified above in relation to FIGS. 2 and 3, the intake and delivery module 6 comprises a first casing 9 on which intake and delivery ports 7, 8 are positioned and within which are located the “self-priming” pump 12 which co-operates with the fluid outlet conduit 4 downstream of the intake port, and the fluid inlet conduit 5 which co-operates with the delivery port 8. The first casing 9 includes two parts, the upper one S, and the other lower one I, this latter being intended to be kept immersed. The “self-priming” pump 12 will preferably be placed in the lower part I of said first casing 9. Reliable and permanent exchanges of fluids are guaranteed with said pump 12.

In order to keep the intake and delivery module 6 at the surface of a tank, said module 6 also includes flotation means 13, which may be arranged within the first casing 9 or outside said first casing 9. Preferably, the said flotation means 13 will be positioned at a depth less than that of the “self-priming” pump 12. A waterline is defined by the flotation means 13: advantageously, the intake port 7 is positioned below the waterline. The flotation means 13 may be buoys or also generally hollow floats inflated with air or a neutral gas such as helium or neon. They may also be filled with a solid material less dense than water such as hydrophobic polystyrene foam. The flotation means 13 make it possible for the intake and delivery module 6 to move to the surface of the tank and thus to obtain a better distribution of the treated fluid.

According to a third embodiment (not represented graphically), instead of the flotation means 13 an intake and delivery module 6 according to the invention may include sufficient ballast to cause the immersion of said module 6. The ballast shifts the centre of gravity or increases the mass of the intake and delivery module 6 in order to cause the immersion of said module. The ballast may be of different natures: the material which makes up the first casing 9 serves as ballast, that is to say that this material is more dense than the fluid to be treated. By way of example, in the case of water, the casing can be composed of one or more metals, such as lead, stainless steel or an alloy of different metals. As a variant, the flotation means can be replaced by ballasting means: as an example, the buoys or floats may be substituted by small bags of lead or shot.

According to a fourth embodiment (not shown graphically), the intake and delivery module 6 can include means for distancing the delivery port 8 from the intake port 7. These means may be arranged so as to also keep the delivery port 8 at a depth greater than that of the intake port 7. By way of example these means may consist of one or more flexible or inflexible tubes, an arm or also a spout. They can co-operate with the delivery port 8 in different ways: they can be screwed, adhered, or also sealed, permanently or temporarily. According to one configuration, they make it possible to displace the delivery port 8 towards the bottom of the tank and thus, if this treatment consists of heating the fluid of a tank, to create a flow of hot fluid towards the bottom of the tank whilst the intake port 7, closer to the surface of the fluid, can entrain the fluid to be heated towards a HP. Consequently the heating is more efficient and quicker. As a variant, the fluid inlet conduit 5 can open from the delivery port 8, substituting for the different means for distancing the delivery port 8 from the intake port 7. The distal part of the means for distancing the delivery port 8 from the intake port 7 can include a ballast if these latter are substantially flexible so as to direct the delivery of the fluid towards the bottom of the tank.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the treatment system according to the invention. By way of non-limiting example, the treatment consists of heating the water of a tank with the aid of a HP. This HP could be substituted by an electrical resistance, solar-powered heating or any other equivalent means. In another variant, the treatment means can include filtration means.

The treatment system includes a HP 1, an intake and delivery module 6 according to the invention, said HP 1 co-operating with the respective distal parts of the inlet and outlet conduits 5, 4 of said intake and delivery module 6. The distal parts of the inlet and outlet conduits 5, 4 and the HP can co-operate in different ways: by way of non-limiting example they can be screwed, adhered or also sealed together. Preferably, the intake and delivery module 6 includes universal connectors 11 which can be in the form of a sleeve. The universal connectors 11 make it possible to connect the intake and delivery module 6 easily to any type of HP 1.

The “self-priming” pump 12 is supplied electrically by the HP 1 which also controls its operation: first of all the HP 1 controls the “self-priming” pump 12 causing the installation to be filled with water, then several moments later (several seconds or tens of seconds for example), it triggers the startup of its compressor without risk to the installation. A transformer 14 is present in the system in order to enable the passage from the high voltage 230 V to the low-voltage 12 V to supply the self-priming pump.

For this, the invention provides that the treatment means include means for supplying and/or actuating the “self-priming” pump 12. By way of non-limiting example, in the context of a system of heating with the aid of a HP the “self-priming” pump is supplied and/or controlled by the HP 1 by means of a control terminal generally called P1/P2 and the control panel, also known as the setpoint interface, of the HP 1. This type of control terminal P1/P2 is present on any recent or modern HP in order to be able optionally to connect and control one or several auxiliary pumps. Thus the heating system does not require adaptation of the HP 1 in order to connect the intake and delivery module 6 intended to be immersed in the tank, in the event that the HP includes the control terminal P1/P2.

According to the invention, as soon as a heating setpoint is delivered via the setpoint interface of the HP 1, this latter in the first place activates a control system, corresponding to the terminal of the P1/P2 type which triggers the “self-priming” pump 12 of the intake and delivery module 6, then after a predetermined or configurable period, generally from several seconds to several minutes, the compressor of the HP 1. This timing control is sufficient so that the “self-priming” pump of the intake and delivery module (6) supplies the installation with fluid, in particular the compressor of the HP 1. Thus, the compressor or the HP generally are retained. This timing control can be adjusted in order to take account of the length of the fluid inlet and outlet conduits 5, 4 co-operating with the intake and delivery module 6 and the HP 1 in particular. As a variant, the HP can additionally include a flow sensor which makes it possible to determine the presence or absence of a fluid in the compressor in order ensure activation thereof and of the HP 1 generally.

The invention also provides a method for adaptation of the heating system to an old type of HP, that is to say one which does not have a control system for auxiliary pumps, which may be a control terminal P1/P2 or any other equivalent means. In this case the invention envisages an adaptation of the fluid treatment means by joining them to means for supplying and actuating the “self-priming” pump 12 of the intake and delivery module 6, said means actuating said pump prior to the treatment per se of the fluid during the activation of the treatment means. By way of non-limiting example, these means for supplying and actuating the “self-priming” pump may be in the form of an additional electronic control housing arranged in order, in a first time period, to supply and actuate the “self-priming” pump 12 of the intake and delivery module 6 and, in a second time period, that is to say after a predetermined or configurable period, to control the compressor of the HP. This housing may be integrated in the HP or may be interposed between the setpoint interface and the HP 1. It makes it possible to connect the intake and delivery module 6 to any type of HP or more generally any type of treatment.

In order to enable the connection of the treatment system to any type of treatment means, according to a third aspect the invention relates to a method for adaptation of the treatment means to the system for treatment of a fluid according to the invention, comprising a step for adapting the fluid treatment means by joining them to means for supplying and actuating the “self-priming” pump of the intake and delivery module, said means actuating said pump prior to the treatment per se of the fluid during the activation of the treatment means.

The invention has been described during its implementation with a heat pump for heating the water of a swimming pool. However, it may be used with other types of heating device, especially with a device comprising an electrical resistance or also other types of treatment, more particularly devices for filtration, cooling or addition of chemical elements. It can also be employed for other types of fluids, such as for example wine, as well as other types of tanks such as aquariums, sumps and barrels.

It could also be envisaged that a plurality of intake and delivery modules may be connected to a treatment system in order to improve the efficiency of the whole system.

Other modifications may be envisaged without departing from the scope of the present invention defined by the appended claims. 

1. A fluid intake and delivery module comprising an intake port which co-operates with a proximal part of a fluid outlet conduit, a delivery port which co-operates with a proximal part of a fluid inlet conduit, and a “self-priming” pump 12 which co-operates with a fluid outlet conduit downstream of the intake port.
 2. The intake and delivery module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the self-priming pump is a low-voltage pump.
 3. The intake and delivery module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the self-priming pump is a well pump or a cellar pump.
 4. The intake and delivery module as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a first casing including openings arranged so that the respective proximal parts of the inlet and outlet conduits emerge from said openings.
 5. The intake and delivery module as claimed in claim 1, further including ballast sufficient to cause the immersion of the module.
 6. The intake and delivery module as claimed in claim 4, wherein said first casing includes an upper part and a lower part intended to be immersed, and wherein the intake port is positioned on the lower part of the first casing.
 7. The intake and delivery module (6) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first casing encloses the self-priming pump.
 8. The intake and delivery module as claimed in claim 6, including means arranged to ensure the flotation of said module while keeping the lower part of the first casing immersed.
 9. The intake and delivery module as claimed in claim 4, comprising an outer casing in order to enclose the first casing, the delivery and intake ports, said outer casing including at least one opening to enable exchanges of fluids between the outside world and the first casing.
 10. The intake and delivery module for a fluid for a tank as claimed in claim 4, the first casing has a shape bent in an inverted L arranged to follow the rim of a tank.
 11. The intake and delivery module as claimed in claim 1, including fixing means.
 12. The intake and delivery module as claimed in claim 4, wherein respective proximal parts of the inlet and outlet conduits are flush with the openings of the first casing.
 13. The intake and delivery module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the intake port includes a strainer or a grate.
 14. The intake and delivery module as claimed in claim 1, including means for distancing the delivery port from the intake port.
 15. The intake and delivery module as claimed in claim 14, wherein the means for distancing the delivery port keep the delivery port at a greater depth than that of the intake port.
 16. The fluid intake and delivery module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the respective distal parts of the inlet and outlet conduits include universal connectors.
 17. The intake/delivery module as claimed in claim 1, including gripping means.
 18. A system of treatment of a fluid of a tank, comprising means for treatment of said fluid, and an intake/delivery module according to claim 1, said treatment means co-operating with respective distal parts of the inlet and outlet conduits of said module.
 19. The system of treatment of a fluid of a tank as claimed in claim 18, wherein the fluid treatment means include means for supplying and/or actuating the self-priming pump of the intake and delivery module.
 20. The system of treatment of a fluid of a tank as claimed in claim 18, wherein the fluid treatment means include filtration means.
 21. The system of treatment of a fluid of a tank as claimed in claim 18, wherein the fluid treatment means include a heat pump.
 22. The system of treatment of a fluid as claimed in claim 19, wherein said means for supplying and/or actuating the self-priming pump of the intake and delivery module are arranged so as to actuate self-priming pump prior to the treatment of the fluid.
 23. A method for adaptation of fluid treatment means of a treatment system as claimed in claim 18, comprising a step for adapting the fluid treatment means by joining the fluid treatment means to means for supplying and actuating the self-priming pump of the intake and delivery module, said supplying and actuating means actuating said pump prior to the treatment per se of the fluid during the activation of the treatment means. 